Special Education

Few things are more rewarding than achieving success with a special-needs student. It’s highly challenging but noble work, and the satisfaction of knowing what a difference you made in that student’s life is incomparable. Ball State’s Department of Special Education helps you develop the tools you need for this calling.

And at Ball State, you will have opportunities to enhance your education beyond the classroom. Through immersive learning, an interdisciplinary student team provides a real-world solution for a business or community partner. Examples in our department include a DVD documentary about two schools in Liverpool, England, and developing resources and tools to improve community preparedness to meet children’s needs in disasters.

Our academic offerings include degrees at all levels. Bachelor’s degrees include majors in both mild and severe interventions. Our students may choose to specialize in the education of those with hearing impairments or early childhood students with special needs. We also work with the Department of Elementary Education on a dual major for those who wish to blend elementary education with special education. We also offer a minor in special education for the hearing impaired, tailored for students majoring in speech pathology and audiology. Additional minors include applied behavior analysis, autism, and early childhood special education.

At the graduate level, there are several options serve students in various situations. A master of arts (MA) in special education is the typical path chosen by students who have an undergraduate degree in special education and wish to advance their special education knowledge or add another area of specialization. Those with an undergraduate degree in education may opt for the master of arts in education (MAE) degree focusing on special education. The MA in applied behavior analysis with an emphasis in autism is for those wishing to specialize in autism and work specifically in the field of applied behavior analysis. Doctoral degrees are for students seeking a research-focused career or an administrative role such as teacher educator, special education manager, or curriculum specialist.